Is it possible to die of a broken heart?

Question

It was a figure of speech I know, but is it possible to die from this sadness?

Answer 1

People really can die of a broken heart, and the researchers now think they know why.

A traumatic breakup, the death of a loved one or even the shock of a surprise party can unleash a flood of stress hormones that can stun the heart, causing sudden, life-threatening heart spasms in otherwise healthy people, researchers reported yesterday.

The phenomenon can trigger what seems like a classic heart attack and can put victims at risk for potentially severe complications and even death, the researchers found. By giving proper medical care, however, doctors can mend the physical aspect of a "broken heart" and avoid long-term damage.

The idea that someone can die from a broken heart has long been the subject of folklore, soap operas and literature. Researchers have known that stress can trigger heart attacks in people prone to them, and a syndrome resembling a heart attack in otherwise healthy people after acute emotional stress has been reported in Japan. But very little was known about the phenomenon in this country, and no one had any idea how it happened.

The new insight is perhaps the most striking example of the link between mind and body, several experts said.

Answer 2

first of all define a broken heart......when I say broken heart i mean when you experience the death of a loved one especially a child/spouse.your highschool crush dumping you does not apply here.....it has to be a much deeper pain-much deeper than most have ever had to experience.....I know first hand that YES you can die of "a broken heart' my father died 17 days after my mother........his heart was broken and he had just basically given up-the mind is such a powerful force that if you believe you will die or wish it enough it can actually happen.If you do not take control of your thoughts and seek help it can take you down....

Answer 3

Ive ran a call before where someone called 911 because of a broken heart. It was a waste of time and resources.

Answer 4

it is psycological reasoning some believe yes some believe no you just die emotionally and a piece of you goes away that either was innocent and purier before you experienced this kind of sadness, it is all up to the individual how it is taken recieved my dear.

I do believe that a person can feel lost after it happens that type of lost that is.

Have a good day!

Answer 5

I suppose. There have been people who, after being married sixty years and more, have died within days of one another. When a lifelong love dies, it may be impossible for the surviving spouse to deal with the loneliness and stress. And, stress can bring on a heart attack... so, yes, it does seem possible.

Answer 6

it isnt possible to die of a broken heart unless you let your thoughts think that way you might let it get to you but yopu can get over a broken heart in the long run and get on in your life and then you can do better with your life and every in it

Answer 7

Not likely.

Severe sadness because of a loss of someone near and dear causes one's heart to ache for that person. The aching is part of the healing process. Eventually the ache isn't noticed as acutely and life just goes on. We heal. That doesn't mean that we don't miss that other person or that we don't experience a kind of death of our own in the spirit of ourselves.

Answer 8

Hardly, by that dilemma alone. Perhaps in conjunction with another and/or other issues, IE: Poor health, depression, trauma, death of loved one, etc. could spiral you to your ultimate demise.

Answer 9

yes , your brain is very powerful and if you tell yourself it's the end, as people do when broken hearted, often they die.

Answer 10

Sure, if you have poor coping skills. Because the pain is real, it can cause you to neglect your health.